Want to be mentored by some of the biggest names in US television?

Then you must apply for the MENTOR LA program which has just opened its doors to applicants.

From the MENTOR LA program Media Release:

“MENTOR LA is a bespoke career development program which matches four mid-level professionals working in the Australian screen industry with US mentors to meet online quarterly, culminating in a trip to Los Angeles to meet their mentor face-to-face in the last quarter of a 12-month program.

“With Hollywood and the wider international industry putting a focus on diversity and inclusion, AiF and Screen Australia are encouraging applications from groups currently underrepresented in the screen industry. These include women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, LGBTQI and gender diverse people. Applicants must be Australian residents.”

The Mentor LA program was first launched in 2016, and has provided massive opportunity for Australian creatives.

Kate Marks, President of Australians in Film  (AIF) said;

“The Australian screen industry is held in such high esteem internationally for its original and distinctive voices, so AiF is thrilled to be partnering with Screen Australia at a time when inclusion is such an important and key issue globally. Mentor LA is designed to empower creative professionals in the Australian screen industry.”

And this year’s list of mentors is stunning:

• Betsy Beers – award-winning executive producer (Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder)
• Yahlin Chang – writer and producer of Emmy award-winning series (The Handmaid's Tale)
• Jamie Babbit – Emmy-nominated director (Silicon Valley, Girls)
• Peter Saji – comedy writer and executive producer (Black-ish)

Graeme Mason, CEO Screen Australia said:

“Mentor LA is a tremendous opportunity for Australian creatives to learn directly from some of the US industry’s best. A huge thanks to Betsy Beers, Yahlin Chang, Jamie Babbit and Peter Saji for so generously supplying their skill and knowledge to this year’s program, and I encourage applicants to put every effort into their application to stand out. Those selected for Mentor LA will undoubtedly get an experience of a lifetime, that will arm them with skills to work both in Australia and the US.”

The overall aim of the program is to empower under-represented members of the Australian screen industry by creating a professional bridge between the Australian screen industries and the global market, providing mentees with information and skills through partnerships with established experts working in the American industry.

So if you’re a mid-level professionals working in the Australian screen industry hoping to improve your international market knowledge and understanding of the industry from a US perspective, and you want to gain introductions to a variety of industry contacts – all provided by leading, mentors currently working in the Hollywood system  – then this is for you.

Applications close soon: 11am (AEST), Saturday 8 September 2018 (6pm (PST), Friday 7 September 2018)

To apply, you must be an Australian resident.

For more details go to Australians In Film.

Good luck to all applying for this exciting opportunity.